Cooking with propane?

15 years ago

We are building a new home that doesn't have NG. We will have a LP fireplace, and have the option of using the LP for a range as well.

A salesman told me that ranges have a lower BTU output when converted for use with LP. I am looking at getting a 30" slide in range.....and looking to spend under $2000.

Am I better off getting a ceramic top electric? I had a gas range at our last house, but I have been using an old electric coil at the place we are renting now. I prefer cooking with gas, but I don't know what to expect with a range converted to LP?

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Comments (13)

atlbeardie
15 years ago
Natural gas is not available at our lake house, and I have had two different ranges there fueled by LP. I detest electric cooktops, so they were not an option I ever considered. My current range is a duel fuel Bosch, which I really like. Since you indicated that you prefer cooking on gas, I see no reason why you should not continue to do so. Just make sure that you get a range that is properly outfitted for LP -- most models are available in an LP version or an LP converter kit is available. Yes, there is a small drop in BTU, but I doubt you will notice the difference --- unless you are a professional-grade chef doing some serious cooking, or are opting for a true professional range. You might also checking the appliance forum to see what the experts over there say.
paso
15 years ago
We are on propane as well and we have decided on induction which is similar in cooking to gas. Look into and I think you will be surprised.In our previous house, we had a Wolf range with natural gas, but now we have moved to a new area.
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I suspect that if you purchased a pro style range that there might not be any performance issues because I assume that they have old fashioned burner design with both air shutters and gas orifice adjustment. However, if you got a sealed burner style without air adjustment, you might be somewhat displeased. I am in the latter situation. My gas cook-top was made for natural gas and was converted with new orifices and a reset regulator. This is the common approach. I suppose that some higher end units might have specially designed propane units, but maybe not. I had two issues. First; it is not necessarily easy to get the precise orifice for a burner to exactly balance the air to gas ratio for a good flame, and the only adjustment is to change the orifice again (and again if one even exists). The second issue is that the valves (the knob travel) were designed for natural gas and now my highest settings are mostly reached at one half the valve/knob travel which is a marked setting of medium more or less. The other issue is that propane must be locally transported and is usually much more costly than natural gas, particularly in certain parts of the country. I wanted gas for control, perhaps power outages, and low cost (I had lived with natural gas for 50 years). When we moved in, propane cost much less than now. Electricity is a better deal now here. Perhaps price will drop with so much gas production, but it hasn't made much difference yet. Except for outage issues, and knowing what I do now, I would probably consider induction.
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amck2
15 years ago
When I bought my house I had the option of purchasing the dual fuel pro range that the PO's had recently installed. Prior to this, for 25 years I'd only cooked on an electric stove.

I was initially terrified at the thought of cooking with propane. But within weeks of using it, I knew I would never go back to an electric stovetop.

We bought a dual fuel pro-style JennAir range for the lake house we built last year and I love it. While I'm no pro, I'm a good "home cook" who enjoys experimenting with new recipes and I use my range daily. If that's the type of use your range will get, I would not hesitate to go with propane.
ccoombs1
15 years ago
I am in an area where there is no natural gas and I am SOOO looking forward to dumping the ceramic top stove I now have for an LP monogram cooktop. I know I'll lose a few BTU's, but the performance will still be way superior to anything an electric can dish out.
sue36
15 years ago
I have a LP Viking rangetop. NG is not available here. The btu might be reduced, but it still cranks. I can't imagine getting electric just because you can't get NG.

That's like saying if you can't get a Ferrari you will skip over the Corvette and get the Honda.

Electric is great for some people, but it is not replacement for LP ro NG.
paso
15 years ago
Look into induction...even restaurants are interested in induction. But, that is a cook top only.. you would also need electric wall ovens...Diva makes a range, but very expensive. also, I don't know about you, but propane is expensive...what if you could get similar results from induction on cook top. I had a wolf before!
zoenipp
15 years ago
You should post this question over on the Appliance Forum for additional feedback. I am considering adding a gas range at our beach house. It would require installation of a propane tank and some re-plumbing so I'm following this thread as well.
scubated
15 years ago
I have had to live with electric for 9 years now and can't wait until my new LP BlueStar all gas range is installed in our new kitchen. They are demoing this week so I still have a few months to go. There just isn't any comparison in gas vs. electric. I have a ceramic cooktop range now and really hate cooking on it. I have a tendency to get impatient and burn things when I try and crank up the heat. I can't wait to get the subtle control of heat back. We got an LP tank this winter to convert our fireplace so we just have to run the line to the range.
paso
15 years ago
Yes...go to the appliance link. but, from all my research, cooking on electric and induction are WAY different. I had Wolf before and an willing to go induction vs propane. I am after great performance with a cost under control. do you think the cost of propane will increase? What if you had an alternate choice of induction that will perform as well a gas...something to think about.
oruboris
15 years ago
Confession: haven't read every post in this thread, so if I'm repeating, my apologies.

Just wanted to point out that Bluestar [and just a couple oters, possibly Wolf] allegedly loose no BTUs when converted to propane.

And energy costs are inter-related. When gas or propane go up in price, electricity will follow because so much of it comes from fossil fuel. Maybe a smaller increase, but still.

But that said, induction will probably still boil water faster. It isn't for me, but it is obviously a choice a lot of people are making.
roadtrash
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the help! I'll be looking into a Bosch Dual Fuel very soon!
User
15 years ago
We have a dual fuel Kitchen Aid, the 4 burner architect's series range that runs on propane. I haven't noticed any less heat or need for converting temperatures in recipes. We've had it for two and a half years.
angelcub
15 years ago
I have been cooking and heating with propane for nearly 30 years. Never one problem. For our remodel we purchased an all gas Wolf - could not be happier and you couldn't get me to use anything else. As for the costs, it's negligible. Heating a whole house is another story but our furnace is 18 years old so I expect it. We also have a Mendota fireplace, gas converted to propane - love it and it's extremely cost efficient. We are thinking of installing one in our bedroom and only using the whole house furnace if we have guests.

Get the LP range you want. You won't be sorry. : )

Cooking with propane?

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